verb to reach or gain access to something
preposition used to indicate the object of an action or effort
In psychology, 'get at' can refer to uncovering underlying emotions or motivations in a person's behavior.
In education, 'get at' can be used to describe the process of grasping or comprehending a concept or idea.
In relationships, 'get at' can be used to describe trying to understand or address a problem or issue.
In research, 'get at' can mean to reach or uncover a particular piece of information or data.
In forensics, 'get at' can refer to obtaining evidence or clues that lead to solving a crime.
In a professional context, 'get at' can be used by a writer to describe the process of uncovering or addressing a specific topic or theme in their writing. For example, a writer may say 'I'm trying to get at the heart of the character's motivations in this scene.'
Psychologists may use 'get at' to describe the process of uncovering underlying emotions or motivations in their patients. For example, a psychologist may say 'I'm trying to get at the root cause of the patient's anxiety.'